We just bought a Hunter 18.5 from someone who didn't use it for 13 years and couldn't show us how to rig it. There are 4 halyards (or ropes anyway) coming out of the mast, plus a 5th one off of a metal bracket at the top. I assume the top rope is the main, the one above the headstay is for the jib, and the one below the headstay would that be for the spinnaker? What would the one about 3' above the spreaders? Is the rope tied at the top on the metal bracket the topping lift? Also, is the metal piece by the gooseneck on the mast that is kind of like a fancy u what you tie the reef point to? Thanks in advance to any answers to these questions!
Mast halyards
- Thread starter lbsailor
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I'm not familiar with the 18.5 specifically, but I suspect my 23 had a similar setup. Based on your descriptions...
The line exiting at the top (aft) of the mast would be the Main Halyard.
The line exiting above the forestay is a Spinnaker Halyard.
The line exiting below the forestay is the Jib Halyard.
The fixed line at the top of the mast is most likely the topping lift; it connects to (and is adjusted by) a line that runs through the boom.
...and I have no idea what the line 3' above the spreaders would be for. Maybe a mast-raising system?
The line exiting at the top (aft) of the mast would be the Main Halyard.
The line exiting above the forestay is a Spinnaker Halyard.
The line exiting below the forestay is the Jib Halyard.
The fixed line at the top of the mast is most likely the topping lift; it connects to (and is adjusted by) a line that runs through the boom.
...and I have no idea what the line 3' above the spreaders would be for. Maybe a mast-raising system?
The metal piece, if like an inverted U on either side, is probably the hook over which you would place the reef point grommet. And that metal bracket atop the mast is likely the mast crane, if it sticks backward somewhat - the line fixed to it is, as stated, likely the topping lift.
Mine is a 1988 Model. From the bottom, I have the main halyard coming out of the very bottom of the mast. The top of the main halyard is the very top of the mast where it connects to the top of the mainsail. The jib halyard comes out of the mast about 3 ft. above the bottom and at the top it exits the mast about 80% of the way, just below the headstay out the front the mast to connect to the top of the jib sail.
You might own a newer version of the boat (they made them up until '92) or a previous owner might have made his own modifications.
Email me if you need further assistance. Photos might be help.
Bob
You might own a newer version of the boat (they made them up until '92) or a previous owner might have made his own modifications.
Email me if you need further assistance. Photos might be help.
Bob
Thanks for all the help! I think I've got it figured out now. The boat is a 1990 that was set up for racing by the original owner, but then he sold it a year after he bought it. It has 2 spinnakers-one large, one smaller. I didn't realize boats use more than 1 size spinnaker, but then I've never used a spinnaker before.
18.5 did not have a mast raise sysstem come standard with the boat unless someone made up one for the boat.
I suggest a photo for a better response.
I suggest a photo for a better response.
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